People to be Honoured and Thanked in 2008

This year the National Day of Thanksgiving coincides with Mothers Day weekend.

Those to be honoured and thanked as part of the National Day of Thanksgiving celebrations to be held on 10th May 2008 are as follows:-

We wish to honour all Mothers and thank those people throughout our respective communities who nurture, train, teach, mentor or care for babies, children and youth.

This would include but not be limited to: Full and part time workers and volunteers in Babies and Children's homes, Foster Carers, staff in Child Care and Pre-School facilities , staff and volunteers working in Youth Shelters, School Teachers and Chaplains, Youth Workers, Sporting team coaches and administrators.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Prime Minister's Statement

Saying “thank you” is a simple but extraordinarily powerful thing to do.
That is why I enthusiastically support this, the fifth National Day of Thanksgiving, on May 10 2008.

Saying thank you can start with those closest to us in our immediate and extended families. This year, the National Day of Thanksgiving coincides with Mother’s Day, a time when we acknowledge the enormous contribution that mothers all over Australia make in nurturing and providing guidance to their children.

We should also say thanks to the many Australians whose quiet efforts help provide care, relieve suffering and protect us from danger. We can think especially of medical staff, emergency services personnel and the enormous number of Australians who volunteer to serve their communities in all sorts of ways.

We should also thank those often-forgotten Australians whose hard work keeps our daily lives ticking over – keeping streets, buildings and offices clean; preparing the food that ends up on the supermarket shelves and on our dinner tables; and stepping in to lend a helping hand wherever there’s a need.
As Australians we can also give thanks for the good fortune we have to live in this great nation. We have so much to be thankful for – from the extraordinary natural beauty that surrounds us, to the freedoms we have inherited, the prosperity we experience and the community of which we are all a part.
For those of us of faith, this is also a time when we can give our thanks to the Creator who gives us all good things.

I encourage all Australians to take advantage of this opportunity of the National Day of Thanksgiving to make a difference in the life of another Australian today, by saying thank you to someone who might not normally hear those words.

The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP

Prime Minister of Australia

Author: The Honourable Kevin Rudd MP

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Leader of the Opposition statement

I am delighted to provide this message in support of the National Day of Thanksgiving on 10 May 2008.

The National Day of Thanksgiving is an opportunity for all Australians to recognise and give thanks for the contribution made by so many unsung heroes in our community.

In 2008, when the National Day of Thanksgiving coincides with Mother’s Day, we have a unique opportunity to recognise not just the invaluable contribution that mothers make to our society, but all caregivers who offer their love, time and commitment so generously, often for no material reward.

There are many in our community who give so freely of themselves: foster carers, staff and volunteers working in youth shelters, childcare and pre-school workers, chaplains and school teachers to name but a few.

Each of these people is seeking to make a positive difference in the life of some of our most vulnerable citizens, as they nurture, train, teach and mentor our babies, children and youth.

It is easy to forget just how lucky we are. Today is a chance for all Australians to step back from the bustle and commotion of every day life, to reflect on those generous people who have helped to shape us through our lives – mothers, grandparents, school teachers, volunteers and so many others – and to say ‘thank you’ for everything we have.

Author: Brendan Nelson MP Leader of the Opposition

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Governor-General's 2008 Statement

A Message from His Excellency Major General Michael Jeffery, AC CVO MC (Retd) Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia for The National Day of Thanksgiving IO May 2008

The National Day of Thanksgiving reminds us of the wonderful people in our society who help others.

In travelling widely throughout Australia during my term in office and in meeting people from all walks of life, Marlena and I have been witness to many heart-warming and inspirational stories of service above self, through citizens motivated by compassion to support those in need.

The most familiar example of this is in the caring professions; those people who have a strong vocation to help others, including those providing spiritual and pastoral care, emergency service workers, midwives, nurses, doctors, foster carers, counsellors and teachers.

Further, we should not forget that Australia has more than 5 million volunteers giving some 713 million hours per year in total in a variety of ways. For example, we should remember with gratitude our untiring emergency service volunteers who face up to the perennial Australian natural disasters of flood, fire and storm, time and time again, with courage, compassion and good humour.

Every year, on Mother's Day, we rightly honour mothers and those who look after and guide our children and teenagers so they are given a healthy and positive start in life. There is no more important role in our society than nurturing, educating and guiding our young people so they are able to find personal fulfilment, develop strong and lasting relationships of their own, be effective and loving parents in their turn and make their best contribution to our society.

On the National Day of Thanksgiving we remember all those who help others, motivated by a sense of responsibility, compassion and a desire to contribute positively to the life of the nation and the well-being of our society.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

WHAT KIND OF EVENTS ARE BEING PLANNED FOR NDOT 2008

As the NDOT continues to grow we are hearing of more and more exciting ways in which communities are acknowledging and celebrating the day. Here are just some of the ways in which it will be celebrated this year.

* Mayoral Breakfasts - some expecting up to 200 to attend

* Festivals for the whole community - some expecting in excess of 2000 to attend

* Australia Worships celebrations - some expecting up to 1,000 to attend

* Acts of kindness in the community - one huge project will see combined churches undertaking the spring cleaning of up to 1000 homes of disabled and disadvantaged people

* Schools undertaking community projects and acts of kindness

* Radio stations sponsoring breakfasts for Church and community leaders

* Councils and Churches taking out whole page advertisements in local newspapers to thank those who serve their community

* Churches taking up special offerings to give to the poor

* Churches giving out thank you ribbons to mothers in shopping malls

* Family get-togethers and picnics

* Sending of thank you cards and giving of thank you ribbons.

* Breakfast in bed for Mum on Mothers Day.

Source: Australian Prayer Network